9 cool summer camps in Birmingham to sign your kids up for

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With summer just around the corner, a lot of parents may be considering camps for their kids. From performing arts camps to outdoor nature camps, consider these eight day camps and one sleepaway camp that are busy planning an awesome time for your kids.

1. Alabama Ballet School

Alabama Ballet School provides high-quality training to aspiring artists of all ages through various summer programs. Here’s a look at each:

Tutus and Tiaras

Students will: 

• Engage in age-appropriate ballet and tap classes
• Create ballet-oriented crafts
• Learn how ballet dancers tell stories with pantomime
• Hear stories of ballets such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty

Location: Alabama Ballet School, 2726 1st Ave S., Birmingham, AL 35233
Camp Dates: Session 1 – July 20-24 | Session 2 – July 27-31
Ages: 4-7
Time: 9:45AM-2PM
Price: $250 per week
Register

Junior Ballet Camp

Students will take age appropriate classes in:

• Ballet
• Modern Dance
• Jazz Technique
• Character and/or theatre dance
• Dance history

Location: Alabama Ballet School, 2726 1st Ave S., Birmingham, AL 35233
Camp Dates: July 20-31
Ages: 8-12
Time: 10AM-3PM
Price: 2 weeks – $475 | 1 week – $285
Register

2. Birmingham Children’s Theatre

Calling performers ages 4-18! Birmingham Children’s Theatre—one of the nation’s oldest and largest professional theatre companies for young adults—is offering performance training camps this June and July.

Camps are divided into two age groups—4-7 years old and 8-18 years old. Here’s a look at each:

BCT Imaginarium (Half Day, 1-Week Camps)

BCT’s youngest campers will learn the basics of acting, singing and dancing onstage through imaginatively inspired camps like exploring outer space, joining the circus and becoming an Olympian.

Location: TBD
Camp Dates: June 1-5 (Royalty) | June 8-12 (Animals) | June 15-19 (Circus) | July 6-10 (Royalty) | June 13-17 (Space) | July 20-24 (The Olympics)
Time: Monday-Friday 8:30AM-12:30PM
Grades: PreK-Rising 2nd Graders
Price: $250
Register

Players Studio (Full Day, 2-Week Camps)

Older campers will enhance their performing skills through dance, movement, voice, acting and improvisation in order to develop stage presence, encourage self-confidence and find their voice.

Students will also begin:

• Creating their own works of art
• Engaging in group ensemble training
• Learning performance tools and tricks

Location: TBD
Camp Dates: June 1-12 | June 15-26 | July 6-17 | July 20-31
Time: Monday-Friday 8:30AM-3:30PM
Ages: 8-18
Price: $450. Use discount code BCTSUMMER for 10% off.
Register

*In an effort to help relieve parents of some financial stress, Birmingham Children’s Theatre has waived their non-refundable deposit.

3. The Dance Foundation

Have a tiny dancer at home? Consider signing them up for summer camp at The Dance Foundation.

This summer, they’ll be offering six unique camps (+ weekly classes for ages 1-adult!) led by professional instructors.

Which camp is for you? Here’s a peek at just a few of the programs The Dance Foundation is offering:

Dance Exploration

Explore the art of dance through technique in a variety of styles as well as lessons in dance history, sewing, music, stage makeup and performance. Throughout the week, dancers will have classes in Modern Dance, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Dance Improvisation, Hip Hop, Ballet, African Dance and more. Dancers will rehearse daily to perform for family and friends at the end of the week.

Location: The Dance Foundation, 1715 27th Ct. S., Homewood, AL 35209
Camp Dates: June 22-26
Grades: Entering 3-6
Time: Monday-Friday, 9AM-4PM
Price: $245
Register

Once Upon a Fairytale

Students will discover daily adventures from classic fairytales with costumes and creative artifacts. Each day, campers will dance, create art and explore the fairytale of the day.

The Location: The Dance Foundation, 1715 27th Ct. S., Homewood, AL 35209
Camp Dates/Times:
Entering 4K: June 9-11 | June 16-18 | July 14-16
Entering 5K: June 8-12 | June 15-19 | July 6-10
Times: 4K – Tuesday-Thursday, 9AM-1PM | 5K – Monday-Friday, 9AM-1PM
Grades: Rising 4K & 5K
Price: 4K – $145 | 5K – $190
Register

For more dance camps taking place this summer at The Dance Foundation, click here.

4. Virginia Samford Theatre

Does your child dream of seeing their name up in lights on Broadway? Then sign them up for Camp VST at Virginia Samford Theatre. 

This summer theatre intensive gives kids the exciting chances to explore all aspects of live theatre through a variety of classes, including:

• Acting
• Improvisation
• Voice
• Dance
• Stage combat
• Playwriting
• Costume design
• Special effects makeup

Choose between four one-week camp sessions this June.

Location: Temple Beth-El, 2179 Highland Ave, Birmingham, AL 35205
Camp Dates: July 6-10 | July 13-17 | July 20-24 | July 27-31
Ages: 7-18
Time: 9AM-4PM
Price: $325 (Only a $50 deposit! Scholarships and sibling discounts available.)
Register

5. Samford Academy of the Arts

Searching for a summer camp that offers music and writing? Look no further than virtual summer camps at Samford Academy of the Arts.

Adventures in Music Virtual Summer Camp

Has your kiddo expressed an interested in piano, voice or violin? Then sign them up for this Adventures in Music Virtual Summer Camp. 

Campers will enjoy 3-4 hours of instruction per day with:

• Online private lessons
• Activities in theory and music history
• Interactive group activities

*Piano and violin students must have completed a minimum of three months instruction proper to camp.

*Vocalists must be at least 9 years old.

Camp Dates: Session I: June 8 – 12, 2020 – Piano, Voice or Violin | Session II: July 6 – 10, 2020 – Piano, Voice or Violin
Price: $275
Grades: 1–12
Register

Online Camp for Tweens and Teens

For kids who love to write, this online writing camp for tweens and teens is worth their while. They’ll learn how to write better and enter contests and publications, practice finding the perfect words, imagery and details, and more!

Camp Dates: June 22-26, 2020
Time: 9AM-Noon
Price: $175
Ages: 11–15
Register

6. Birmingham Zoo

For animal lovers, Zoo Camps at the Birmingham Zoo are a must-attend. This year, the Zoo has revamped its summer program to include even more hands-on science, nature, play, conservation and learning.

Camps are education and encourage active learning through:

• Games
• Crafts
• STEM-based explorations
• Special encounters with live animals
• And more!

Location: Birmingham Zoo, 2630 Cahaba Rd., Birmingham, AL 35223
Camp Dates: June 15 – 19 | June 22 – 26 | June 29 – July 2 | July 6 – 10 | July 13 – 17 | July 20 – 24 | July 27 – 31 | August 3 – 7
Time: 8:30AM-3:30PM
Price: Members – $55 | Non-Members – $65
Grades: 4K-12th grade
Register

7. Asbury United Methodist Church

No matter what your kids are interested in, Asbury United Methodist Church offers a variety of fun summer camps that they’ll love to take part in.

Choose from:

• Basketball Camp
• Chess Camp
• Dance Camp
• Indoor Lacrosse Camp
• Vacation Bible School
• Science Camp
• And more!

Location: Asbury United Methodist Church, 6690 Cahaba Valley Rd., Birmingham, AL 35242
Camp Dates: June 14-July 23
Time: Varies by camp
Price: Varies by camp
Grades: Rising 5K-6th graders
Register

8. Topgolf Birmingham

Perfect that winning golf swing during five days of non-stop entertainment and learning Topgolf‘s Summer Academy.

Designed and taught by Topgolf’s golf professionals, kids will learn everything from chipping and putting to rules and etiquette—all in a relaxed environment.

Location: Topgolf, 1111 24th St. N., Birmingham, AL 35234
Camp Dates: June 8-12 | June 15-20 | June 22-26 | July 6-10 | July 13-17
Time: 8:30AM-12:15PM
Ages: 6-12 years old
Price: $199 per child
Register

9. Riverview Camp for Girls

Listen up girls! If you’re looking for an amazing summer camp experience and the chance to make forever friendships, then consider Riverview Camp for Girls.

This exciting camp offers all sorts of cool activities, like:

• Archery & Riflery
• Canoeing
• Golf
• Gymnastics, Cheerleading, Dance & Flag-twirling
• Riding
• Ropes Course & Climbing Tower
• Swimming
• And more!

Location: River Camp for Girls, 757 Co Rd. 614, Mentone, AL 35984
Camp Dates: Short-Term Sessions (1 week each) – May 31-July 31 | Long-Term Sessions (2 weeks each) – June 7-July 31
Ages: 6-16
Price: Short-Term Sessions (1 week) – $2175 | Long-Term Sessions (2 weeks) – $3990 | Customized Combination  – $3990+
Register